This month AoD celebrated it’s long awaited official grand opening of its brand new Centre for Independent Living. AoD was honoured to have the new centre officially opened by the new mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, Patricia Quigley who was a former trustee and member of Action on Disability.
A space for everyone
David Buxton, Chief Executive of Action on Disability, said: “The Centre is the beginning of a new future. It will provide Direct Payment Support, Youth, Employment, Welfare Benefit services and training.
“These are essential parts of our society, and they empower Disabled people within the community to lead and have confident, independent lives.”
Based on the ground floor of Mo Mowlam House, the new Centre for Independent Living is fitted with wheelchair accessible doorways, rooms and corridors, as well as supportive handrails and a fully accessible changing place facility. The site also has a fully accessible garden with high-rise flowerbeds filled with trees and flowering shrubs.
The space has been decorated with murals inspired by H&F’s Disabled People’s Commission, an equality timeline, and photos of key moments in the history of AoD and the disability activism in H&F.
We’re Open!
The opening was celebrated by local residents, charities and organisations, including the Young Hammersmith & Fulham Foundation, local councillors, and the Alliance for Inclusive Education.
Daniel Fesoom, 24, an Action on Disability Youth Board Member, said: “The centre is really fantastic, the building’s amazing and the people who run it are incredible. They’ve helped me with my development and my journey.”
You can also view an article here about the grand opening on LBHF website.
